OPINION

The great fall of China Walter Russell Mead, Walter Russell Mead, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is the author of "God and Gold: Britain, America and the Making of the Modern World."

Right for the part? Daniel W. Drezner, Daniel W. Drezner is associate professor of international politics at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. This article is adapted from a longer essay that appears in the current issue of the National Interest.

The golden fleece Wendy Smith, Wendy Smith is a critic and the author of "Real Life Drama: The Group Theatre and America, 1931-1940."

The un-generation Morris Dickstein, Morris Dickstein teaches English at the City University of New York's Graduate Center. His books include "Leopards in the Temple" and, most recently, "A Mirror in the Roadway: Literature and the Real World."

Acting out Art Winslow, Art Winslow, a former literary editor and executive editor of the Nation magazine, writes frequently about books and culture.

Minds over bodies Diana Wagman, Diana Wagman, a professor at Cal State Long Beach, is the author of the novels "Skin Deep," "Spontaneous" and "Bump."

Hidden pictures Emily Barton, Emily Barton is the author of the novels "Brookland" and "The Testament of Yves Gundron" and is the distinguished visiting writer at Bard College.